This is totally nuts. I also face the same issue. They should have said that InDesign files are not backward compatible. Instead of telling me that some plugin is missing, Adobe should have simply said file version incompatible. This is Crazy Insane.

You must be a newish user. This is the same stupid and misleading (but apparently technically correct based on how ID checks versioning) error message that's been used for at least the last 4 versions. I think the error message has finally been changed in CS6, but since there are so far no CS6.5 file available you won't see it for awhile.

Actually have been using the product back from when it was Pagemaker – but was the solo user in the office until this year so this is the first time I have encountered any issues. But now I know!

My comment about being a newish user was directed at Lian Tombing, but your comment about being a solo user makes some sense. If you never open a file provided by someone else the odds that you'll ever see a file saved in a newer version than you have installed are a lot smaller.

So. I've read through this thread, and what I've gathered is that there is no possible way to open a CS5.5 document in CS4, correct? I have a client who sent me a CS5.5 document, but I'm getting error messages, and can't open it in my CS4. Help?

If you're dealing with client documents, you probably need to keep some semblance of currency. CS4 is long in the tooth at this point, as is CS5. You can ask your client to export the file in IDML format, and then you can read that in CS4. Alternatively, you can download the CS5.5 (or CS6) free trial and do this export yourself. Or you can supply your document to one of us here and we can do the converstion to IDML for you.

Note that new features won't be rendered properly and there is always a substantial chance of text reflow.

I'm having a similar problem maybe you could help with? I have a (large) file that was created on a trial version of either CS5.5 or CS6 - the file is labeled as a CS5.5 on the desktop icon. I have tried to open it since then with both CS5.5 (full version) and CS6 (trial version) and get a similar plugin error for both. I have tried uploading the file to adobe creative cloud and am able to view it, which makes me think it's not the file itself that's corrupt...but not sure. Can you shed any light?

Your case sounds like the file was created using some third-party plugin(s). If the file willactually open without them, you can export to .idml to remove the plugin info, then resave that as a new .indd.

I am having the same issue and I tried this and it didn't work. I can now only open the file by opening InDesign>new>template and then I find the document and it opens after a series of pop ups saying that I am missing plugins. If you know of anything else that may help I would greatly appreciate it!

Same answer it has been since the beginning -- the file needs to be saved as IDML from the version used to create it. The greater the version gap, the more likely things are to change as far as what you get back in the conversion.

of course..but the problem is that I don't have that version anymore =0). It was a trial version of InDesign (downloaded 2-3 months ago) and I'm not sure, even, what # of that version I had. Now I have CS5 and I'm not able to save the file as IDML...However, I tried to rename the file from indd to IDML in Win Explorer but it doesn't work.

of course..but the problem is that I don't have that version anymore =0). It was a trial version of InDesign (downloaded 2-3 months ago) and I'm not sure, even, what # of that version I had. Now I have CS5 and I'm not able to save the file as IDML...However, I tried to rename the file from indd to IDML in Win Explorer but it doesn't work.

So, is there any other solution to this problem?

No. Same answer:

Willi Adelberger schrieb:

No, you have to upgrade to a newer version or ask the file provider to send you an IDML file as the file was created in a newer version, as there are now CS6, CC and CC2014.

Actually without the snark, this is a thread about workflow compatibility. If you run into the problem for ANY reason, it decreases the end experience for the customer/user. Providing an answer sans, the snark makes everyone get more including Adobe. Yes I do realize a three month old post is not relevant, but I pretty much guarantee that you will be having people on this thread until the reverse engineering of files from later versions to earlier versions becomes easier. Also yes, If PDF's are not a part of your work flow, you are doing it wrong. Nobody wants to receive .indd files from a printers perspective or get one from a client.

With Creative Cloud, assuming you are on line, if you try to open a later version with an older one, you will be asked if you want it converted. If you do, it will be uploaded to an Adobe server, converted and opened for you.

Not sure it gets much easier than that.

As for non-subscribers, packaging a CC file now includes the possibility to create and include an IDML and PDF at the same time.

I was actually looking to open a working file created in 6, with four, but thanks I found my own work around. Statement still stands. Your CC statement Is null and no help whatsoever. Further the three title pertains to 5.5. Thanks for showing up putting in your two cents albeit irrelevant.